Stephen F. Austin State University

This year's theme for the Pow Wow Parade is "Excellence in Education by BISD Faculty and Administrators." BISD's Superintendent Elton Caldwell will be the Grand Marshal for the October 11 event and parade displays and floats will promote youth programs. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Wanda Lyon, and they are parents of one son. After graduating from Lindale High School in 1957, he attended Texas A&M University on a football scholarship for two years and transferred to Stephen F. Austin University, again on a football scholarship. There he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's Degrees issued on the same day in May 1963!

Superintendent Caldwell has been involved in the education of BISD youth since July 1989 and with education at many different levels since 1968.

He first taught and coached in San Marcos at the Baptist Academy and San Marcos High School and served in various positions in East Texas schools in Mt. Pleasant, Lindale and Alba-Golden.

Mr. Caldwell indicated his biggest administrative challenges relate to budgets, to implementation of community expectations, and meeting the requirements of State and Federal Regulations.

After 46 years working with youth, he still enjoys the kids and the teachers. His vision of the future of education relates to changes in forms of entertainment (moving from group to individualized instruction), using new technology as it becomes available and affordable, exposure to more up-to-date and accurate information through tech- nology and testing for accountability with a greater focus on the structure of teaching to a planned curriculum. To meet these many challenges, he envisions an increase in required teaching days with increasing increments as necessary in the future.

When asked what he felt were upcoming challenges in the field of education, he quickly responded: "Teaching to think outside the box is the most important principle, finding new solutions to problems and improving life around us."

Veteran teachers are challenged to be innovative, keep the students engaged, and participate, on a consistent basis, in teacher training, keep up with the way children learn, and stay abreast of new instructional methods.

He also indicated that parents can assist by exposing children to life by example, offering guidance and understanding and providing supportive training by spending more quality time rather than less with their children.

A favorite parenting theme is that one must be a caring parent, not a perfect one, offer independence with guidance, assure children they are loved deeply, teach them solid work ethics, and attempt to broaden and challenge their horizons for the future.

Superintendent Caldwell is involved in numerous professional education organizations and both he and Wanda are members of the Chandler Lions Club.

He has twice been nominated for Region VII Superintendent of the Year, and although not selected, the fact that the Board of Trustees nominated him for this honor was very much appreciated.